Citations (Speeding Tickets, etc...)

Citations Payable and Citations Requiring a Court Appearance

A Citation is either payable or requires a court appearance. You may find out whether you can pay or must appear in Court by visiting the Court web site at mncourts.gov at the PAY FINES ONLINE link or by calling 1-800-657-3611. The metro number is 1-651-281-3219.

Payable Citations

If your citation is payable, you may either:

1. Pay the fine within 30 days from the date of the offense, or

2. Contest the charges.

To contest the charges, you must call 1-800-657-3611 within 30 days from the date of the offense for more information.

Review the fine schedule below for common charges and their fines. If your charge is not listed, visit the website at mncourts.gov at the PAY FINES ONLINE link or call 1-800-657-3611.

Method of Payment: (Have your citation number available.)

You may need to wait up to 10 days after you receive your citation before you can make payment by phone or website.

1. To Pay Online: By MasterCard or Visa, access mncourts.gov.
2. To Pay by Phone: Using MasterCard or Visa, call 1-800-657-3611.

3. To Pay by Mail: Send your Check or Money Order (Canadians may only pay by Money Order in US Funds) payable to MN Court Payment Center to:

MN Court Payment CenterPO Box 898Willmar, MN 56201

Checks and money orders must include the citation number and the name as it appears on the citation.

DO NOT SEND CASH

To make arrangements to enter into a written payment agreement in a payable case, call 1-800-657-3611.

A CHARGE OF $30 WILL BE ASSESSED ON ALL CHECKS RETURNED FOR INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.

Consequences of Paying Citations: Payment of the entire fine or any portion of the fine is a plea of guilty to the offense(s) charged on the citation and an admission that you understand and voluntarily waive your rights under Minn. R. Crim. P.23.03. These include the right:

To a court trial, if the offense is a petty misdemeanor, or a court or jury trial if the offense is a misdemeanor;

To be represented by counsel;

To be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt;

To confront and cross examine all prosecution witnesses; and

To either remain silent or to testify on your own behalf.

The plea of guilty and waiver of rights WILL RESULT in the entry of a conviction on each offense. Convictions for appropriate offenses will be sent to the Department of Public Safety for entry on your driving record, or to the Department of Natural Resources, and MAY RESULT in the loss of your license by those agencies. Convictions for driving after suspension, revocation, cancellation, and disqualification, or for no insurance or no proof of insurance offenses WILL RESULT in the loss of your driving privileges.

*No Proof of Insurance Offenses: If you are charged with No Proof of Insurance and the vehicle you were driving was covered on the date and time of offense, please submit proof of your insurance, within 30 days from the date of the offense, to the MN Court Payment Center by mail at the address above or fax to 1-320-231-6507. Include the citation number on the proof of insurance. The No Proof of Insurance charge will be dismissed if proof of insurance is verified.

Frequently Cited Payable Offenses with Fine Information:

Violation

Base Fine Amount

1-10 mph over speed limit**

$40.00

11-14 mph over speed limit**

$50.00

15-19 mph over speed limit**

$60.00

**Double base amount if in an emergency vehicle/school/work zone

20-25 mph over speed limit

$140.00

26-30 mph over speed limit

$200.00

31 or more mph over speed limit

$300.00

Stop sign, stop light, turning, or failure to yield

$50.00

Expired plates or registration

$30.00

No seat belt

$25.00

Child restraint

$50.00

Window tint

$50.00

Open bottle (all over 18)

$100.00

Underage consumption (over 18 yrs)

$100.00

No proof of insurance*

$200.00

Driving after suspension/revocation/cancellation

$200.00

Total Base Fine Amount

$

Add State Surcharge and law library fee:

$85.00

Grand Total Fine Amount Due within 30 days:

$______________

For a violation not listed here or other questions, contact the MN Court Payment Center at 1-800-657-3611. Also, please be advised that if the officer gives you an incorrect fine amount, you are still liable for the correct amount. (If “Endanger” is checked on the citation it REQUIRES a court appearance.)

If a Court Appearance is Required

If an offense requires you to appear in court, a Notice will be sent giving you a court date. It will be mailed to the address listed on the citation. If this address is not correct you must notify the court of your current address. Failure to Appear may result in a Bench Warrant being issued for your arrest. To change your address or ask questions, call 1-800-657-3611.

Failure to Pay or Appear in Court

Petty Misdemeanor Offenses: If you do not pay the payable amount owed and fail to appear in court on a charge that is a petty misdemeanor, the failure to appear is considered a plea of guilty and waiver of the right to court trial.

· The plea of guilty will result in the entry of a conviction on each petty misdemeanor offense charged.

· Convictions for certain offenses will be sent to the department of Public Safety for entry on your driving record, or to the Department of Natural Resources, and may result in loss of your license(s) by those agencies.

Payable Misdemeanors or Court Required Offenses: If you fail to pay or appear in court, the following may occur:

· The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Natural Resources will be notified of your failure to appear, depending on the offenses charged. These agencies may suspend your driver’s license or DNR licenses for failing to appear.

· A warrant may be issued for your arrest.

· Late fees may be assessed.

NOTICE: Under Minn. Stat. § 480.15, subd. 10c, any portion of a fine, surcharge, court cost, restitution, or fee that you fail to pay within 30 days from the date of the offense may be referred for collection, and collection costs may be added to the amount due. If you agree to a payment plan but fail to pay an installment when due, the entire amount remaining becomes due and payable and may be referred to collections. You have the right to contest a referral to collections based on inability to pay by requesting a hearing before the payment in full is due.